Balkan Bytes: NGO Information Networking in South Eastern Europe Gábor Heves Project Manager Funded by the Ministry of Environment of Italy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and the Royal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway

QKE  Albania  EkoMrežaBiH  Bosnia and Herzegovina  Bluelink  Bulgaria  bluelink.net Eko.Net  FYR Macedonia  StrawberryNet  Romania  Volvox  Serbia and Montenegro  Sharri.Net  Kosovo*  Environmental information networks in South Eastern Europe * Kosovo is currently under interim UN administration

Basic project principles Cooperation, democratic procedures and transparency Focus on content Long-term sustainability of networks Bottom-up approach: NGOs plan, implement and supervise activities Examples of what networks do Websites (news, databases, discussion forums) Mailings lists Training programmes Developing products, providing services to members

Project start-up (2001) A needs assessment was conducted NGOs were informed and invited Network steering groups were formed Network workplans document activities Project website

Highlights from the project phase Creation of on-line content (e.g. web portals, news services, mailing lists, databases, thematic websites, newsletters, distribution of computer equipment) Training workshops (e.g. computer technical skills, news publishing) Outreach and marketing (e.g. increasing the number and activity of network users, cooperating with governments and non-environmental NGOs, creating promotional materials) International cooperation (e.g. regional strategic meetings, on-line news exchange, transfer of experience, joint campaigns) See workplans for details on the wealth of activities (All of them accessible on-line on the project website.)

Tangible results

Project implemented jointly with Italian partner organisation, L’Umana Dimora Four study tours in 2003, covering: environmental NGO management; Internet content development; PR and marketing; fundraising; and media relations and news writing Four training courses in 2004: business planning; facilitation skills; online content and media; and technical skills. The Balkan Cyber Tea House (Rimini, August 2004) Activities in Italy,

Priority issue for networks: financial sustainability Difficulty to obtain donor funds in general Hard to receive support to cover core expenses Donors’ priorities may be hard to match with network priorities Only short-term financing through projects Networks as social enterprises Diversification of income sources Self-financing methods (fee-based services and products) Workshop to develop business plans Analysis of market, opportunities and risks Developing a business strategy and service portfolio PR and marketing Financial planning University thesis to identify and evaluate network self-financing methods Mission-driven business planning

Wide range of activities as described in business plans Widening target audience (primarily non-environmental NGOs) Focus on financial stability: diversification of income sources and launching fee-based services Cooperation with other countries Improved visibility Future plans